Tactical laser tag gets the Star Wars treatment

For the dozens of kids and adults at Battlefield Houston over the weekend, tactical laser tag may have felt a bit more like a “galaxy far, far away”.

“Empire vs. Rebels” was a Star Wars-themed event running at the northwest Houston laser tag arena on Aug. 10. It was largely a live-action role-playing (LARP) twist on the “pew pew” action that usually happens there.

The hour-long campaign I attended involved the Empire and Rebels fighting to secure the Death Star plans, narrated by owner John Pittman at the beginning of each 15-minute mission.

A few members of the 501st Legion joined up, fully kitted out in Stormtrooper gear. Some of the staff even got dressed up, including one very convincing Darth Maul who then proceeded to Force Push (kill) random crowds in the arena.

“Walking Dead” fans may want to keep their eyes peeled for Pittman’s next event in October: a zombie-themed jaunt through the arena’s dark corridors.